Wheel cover



G. A. LYON WHEEL COVER Jan. 12, 1954 Original Filed Dec. 9, 1945 fzzE'z-zzcrr GEORGE ALBERT LYON Patented Jan. 12, 1954 'UNIIED STATES T N FF E.

2, 65,943 WHEE VE George Albert Lyon, Detroit, .Mich. Original application December'S, 1943, Serial No.

51354 now'Patent No. $440,638, dated'ApriI 27, 1948. Divided'and this application Novempe 29, 947, Serial No. 787,106

8' Claire?- t t-.

This invention isdirected topan improved wheel structure and more particularly relatesv to an improyed vehicle'wheell structure and cover as.- sembly. therefor.

The present application: is .a. division of my application Serial: No. 513,546 filed: December 9,. 1943', now Patent :No. 2,440,638 issued April 27, 1-948;

Itis an'important. object of the present inyention to provide an improved wheel structure. and cover assembly therefor wherein the cover is in novel retaining relation: to the tirezrim ,ofthe wheel.

Another object of" the invention is; -to provide for .dispositionover the outer side: of a wheel structure a .coveraassembly including a" partextending radially outwardly to conceal all-of .or a major portion of the radially outer extremity of .a' wheel structure and also including retaining means lying in .a .plane radially inwardly of j body, said tire rim concealing portion. having a turned under generally radially inwardly and axially inwardly extending attachment flange including a generally radially outwardly protruding. termmal-formation affording a resilient bead structure engaging ,said' shoulder in retaining snap-on, pry-offi-relation.

According to othe'rflgeneral features of the invention there is provided a wheel structure including a tire rim of the drop center type having flanges including an edge'p'ortion extending generally axially outwardly at the radially outer extremity of the wheel and a central load bearing portion secured centrally of said tire rim, one 'oi' the-flanges of the tire rim com prising an intermediaterflange extending generally axially andmhaving a generally axially inwardly facing: coverretainingshoulder forma tion thereon at'zthe radially inner-side thereof, the-cover assembly-including a circular cover member. havinglairadially' outenportion; arranged to extend from the vicinity of the edge Portion of the tire rimradially inwardly to-a point radially inwardly of the junction between thetire rimand the central load bearing portion; there.- by to conceal the side flanges of the tire rim andxthe radially outer part of the body portion, said-cover assembly alsoincluding at the radially outer portion thereof, an axially inwardly vdisposed, radially'inwardly extending flange memoer terminating in an axially inwardly extend: ing flange including aaradiallyoutwardly turned bead engaging said shoulder formation in detachable, snap-on, pry off engagement.

According .to other features of the invention the cover is formed entirely from synthetic plastic material including the attachment flange portion thereof and the retaining bead thereon.

According to other general features of the invention there is provided in a wheel structure including a tire rim and a central load bearing portion; the tire rim having a generally axially outwardly extending, radially inwardly curved edge portion, a'cover assembly including a radiallyoutwardly extending portion, the radially outer marginal border thereof including apart bent back upon said marginal part to form a radially outwardly extending, elongated beadqof acirculardimensionenabling it to fit within the radially innercurved surface of the edge portion of the tire rim, said bent back portion terminating in a generallyaxially inwardly extendingflange arranged for snap-on, detachable engagement with a portion of the wheel structure to maintain-the cover over the outer side ,thereof.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present" invention will become-readily apparent from the following vdetailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: a

Figure 1 is a side-,elevational view of ,azwheel structure ,and cover. assembly embodying one formof my invention;

i u 11s e la edif aeme a rc os s c: tionalyiew taken substantially on the line II-II of i ure ans F ur -3' a enl r ed f me ros sectional View of a modified formof the invem tion.

.As shown on the drawings In both forms of my invention the wheehdisclosed is: of the: same": construction and, accord ingly, similar reference numerals identify'similar; parts;

They/heck n des: a: tire rimitzhav ne awbase ,A central load bearing portion 19 is of the disk spider type and is secured to the base flange ll of the tire rim in any preferred manner as by welding or riveting, or the like. The wheel body 19 has an annular intermediate generally axially outwardly extending reinforcing nose bulge 20 which defines a central bolt-on flange 2| by which the wheel may be secured to an appro priate part of the vehicle such as the brake drum or axle or the like (not shown).

In the construction of Figures 1 and 2, a cover 22 is provided which is of circular disk form and made from a thin sheet material which may, if desired, be a sheet synthetic plastic material characterized by resilient deflectability whereby it is adapted to be locally, temporarily, resiliently flexed and yet is self-sustaining as to form and will immediately snap back into its initial configuration when distorting pressures are relieved therefrom.

The cover 22 includes a central crowned portion 23 which generally simulates a central circular hub cap member and which merges integrally in one piece with a radially outer portion 24, the latter being provided with an aperture'2'5 through which the valve stem ll extends to be accessible for inflation of the tire 5.

The outer cover portion 24 is of a cross-sectional configuration and expanse such that it extends from the edge portion or terminal flange M of the tire rim radially inwardly to a point beyond the junction of the tire rim and the central load bearing body portion 19 of the wheel.

Where the central and outer portions 23 and 24, respectively, of the cover merge, a circular, axially inwardly indented part 27 extends axially inwardly sufliciently far to engage the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the central load bearing portion 19 of the wheel, and more particularly at the radially outer side of the nose bulge 20 thereof, and thereby serves as an intermediate support for the cover. It will also be observed that the juncture portion 21 provides an axially inwardly extending annular rib which serves to rigidify the juncture.

Furthermore, the cross sectional configuration of the cover portion 24 is such that it generally simulates the curvature of the side wall of the tire 15, thereby to give the appearance of being a continuation thereof and to appear as a part thereof, and also to appear as a side wall of a massive tire mounted on a wheel of minimum dimensions when such portion of the cover is colored white. For retaining the cover 22 upon the wheel, the outer margin of the outer cover portion 24 is turned back upon itself as at 28 to provide a generally radially inwardly extending flange 29 which merges on a gradualy radially and axially inwardly curving juncture with a generaly axially inwardly extending flange 3B which terminates in a generally radially outwardly curved or turned back bead 3! which projects radially outwardly from the edge of the flange 30. Furthermore, the flange portion 30 extends to a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the radially inner side of the intermediate flange l3 of the-tire rim so as to clear the same. However the bead 3| extends to a diameter which is at least slightly greater than the inner diameter of the flange l3, or more particularly, a generally axially inwardly facing retaining shoulder 32 on the flange l3. Herein the shoulder 32 is formed by a groove 33 which is located at the juncture of the side wall flange l2 and the intermediate flange i3 and which groove opens radially inwardly, the shoulder 32 being the axially outer side defining the groove.

The curved juncture 28 of the cover portion 24 and the flange 29, it will be seen in Figure 2, constitutes the radially outer extremity of the visible portion of the cover and is disposed adjacent the extremity of the terminal flange M of the tire rim so that the cover effectively conceals the tire rim Ill, together with the central load bearing portion 19 of the wheel.

In applying the cover to the wheel, it is pressed axially inwardly in concentric relation over the wheel structure, the retaining bead 31 passing inwardly over the radially inner surface of the intermediate flange i3, until the bead snaps behind the retaining shoulder 32. In this relationship, the juncture rib portion 27 of the cover is also brought into abutment with the central load bearing body portion IQ of the wheel. When the parts are so related it will be seen that the intermediate portion of the cover is securely sup ported against the wheel and that the radially outer extremity of the cover which is disposed slightly radially inwardly of the tire 'rim flange extremity I4 is what may be referred to as floatingly mounted while the outer portion 24 of the cover is nevertheless securely maintained on the wheel in detachable relation thereto by the interengagement of the bead 3i and the shoulder 32.

If the vehicle with which the wheel is associated should be run against a curb or other obstruction, and the central portion 23 of the cover is engaged thereby, such portion will dent inwardly temporarily and the distortion will immediately snap back into initial configuration when the distorting pressure is relieved therefrom. Should the radially outer extremity of the cover be engaged by the curb or other obstruction, it will spring inwardly until it is within the confines of the edge flange l4 and be thus protected against further distortion. Where the cover is constructed from synthetic plastic and is given a solid color throughout the depth or thickness thereof, it will be seen that discoloration and disflguration from abrasion will not result in a con trasting under color being revealed.

When it is desired to remove the cover 22, a suitable pry-off tool such as a screw driver inserted behind the curved extremity portion 28 of the cover will be effective to draw such portion outwardly. Where the cover is made from flexible resilient plastic material, this causes the extremity portion of the cover 24 to be deflected outwardly so that it can be grasped manually and drawn axially outwardly to withdraw the bead 31 from engagement with the shoulder 32, thus releasing the cover from the wheel.

In the modified construction of Figure 3, the wheel is provided with a cover 35 formed as a two part assembly including an inner circular portion 37 and an outer circular portion 38. The inner portion 3'. may be formed from suitable sheet material such as a synthetic plastic, while the outer portion 38 may be formed from a relatively more rigid and deflection resistant material such as stainless steel and providing a protective, border:

acetate:

ln'fg'," rigidifyingj annulus about "the'j periphery of the inner: cover 3'1.

In this: modified construction;v theannulus 38- compfri'ses ahead-like structure of "generally conve'xi outer formation which extends radially to acurved radially outer junction 39"merging with a, generally. radially inwardly extending, underturned' flange section is which'in' turn merges onaigenerally radially and axially inwardcurve witli ajgenerally axially inwardly extending flange portion 4i which is 'turned'at its extremity gen erallyradially outwardlyand'is curled'upon itself generally radially inwardly to provide a' rigidifyin'gl bead 42'. Through this arrangement, the radially outer side of the bead 42 is adapted for snapeon, pry-on engagement with the shoulder S'Zo'ffthe intermediate flan'geof the tire'rim; In order'to render the'bead 42 resiliently deflectable for passing the axially outer portion of the tire rim flange is into engagement withth'e shoulder 3'2, it is preferably split at circumferentially spacedpoints as shown at 43.

In the "present instance; the radially" outerex t'remity of the inner cover portion 3'! is preferably turned generally axially rearwardly and into face-to-face abutment with the flange 4| of the outer'bordering annulus 3B'and with the extremity of the margin or edge engaged retainingly within'the bead 42. Further, the cover portion 37 is formed with a generally axially outwardly bulging annular rib Madjacent the extremity and which rib is engaged by an underturned finishing; bead li'eat'the radially inner margin of the bordering annulus 38:

In applying the cover assembly 35 to the wheel, the radially outwardly projecting bead extremity portion J2 is slid axially inwardly alongthe tire intermediate'flange l3 and'since the bead is of somewhat greater outer diameter'than the diameter of the circle describedby the flange l3, axially inward pressure on the coverat'the bordering annulus 38 causes the bead 42 and the flange ll to be slightly compressed radially inwardl'yi and after the bead passes the shoulder 3'2, thebeadsprings outwardly into the desired retainin'gr engagement.

When it is desired 'toremove the cover 35"from the wheel, a pry-off tool inserted behind the radialextremity juncture portion 39and manipulate'd'by fulcrumin'g it against the terminal flange l i'causes the bead 42 to resiliently contr'actfland' leave the shoulder 32, thus releasing thef'cover from the'wheel.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that there, is providedherein, in both forms of :the invention, an'improvedcov'er having an intermediate. partwhich extends in concealing relation to the wheel body and an outer extremity portion which substantially conceals theradially outer part'of the wheel, that'is the tire rim, and has a retaining portion bent back upon itself at the outerrextremity of the cover and extending radiall y and axially inwardly for convenient and easy snap-on, detachable-association with the generallyaxially extending intermediate flange of the tire-rim? I claim "as'myinventionz 1: In" awheehstructure including a multiflangedtirerim'an'd a 'loadsustaining body part, the tire rim including an intermediate generally axially extending flange having a formation providing at the radially inner side thereof a generally axially inwardly directed cover retaining shoulder and a generally curved terminal flange, a cover including a portion in sub-' '6 stantially concealing rel'atiiin to' the til e rim 'and a, portionextending into"concealingrelation tothe wheel" body? said"-tire= rimconcealihg crtien having aturned-under generally radially wardly and axially-inwardly extending res'il ent attachment flangeofsmallen diameter than said intermediate flange of the ti-ierim and disposed in substantially uniformly radially inwardly spaced relation thereto; said attachmerit; flange including a generally radially outwardly-"pro truding' terminal -form'ation affording airesilient bead structure engaging said shoulder in'- retaining snap-on; pry -ofi -relation' and-maintaining' the remainderof" the att''achrr'ien t flange"- spacedfrom' said intermediate -flange to afford a substantially radially floating-"-'relati'onship of the -outer margin -'of"'thecover 'to--the 'tire': lm except where "the-terminal resilient bead en gages' the tire rim shoulder; the 'radially outer extremity of the the rim concealing"cover-por+ tion having a diameter substantiallygreater than that ofsaid tirerim" intermediate flange, and said cover radially outer extremitybeing disposed adjacent the extremity of'the tire'- rim terminal flange and extending infloatin'g 'relation thereto upon assembly 'of the-cover with 'said tire rim.

2. In a wheel structure-including -a multiflanged tire rimand a' wheel-bodyfthe tire rim having a generally axially extendinginterme-- diate flange including adjacent-'- it's'- axially inner margin means affording a--general1y radially and axially" inwardly facing retaining shoulder; a" one-piece cover member' formed from sheet ma terial and comprising an'annular portion-bearing at the radially inner part thereof against the wheel body and extending-from=the wheel body generally radiallyand axially outwardly into substantially concealing'relation- 'to 'the tire rim, the radially outer margin of'saidcovermember having an underturned resilient flange'concealed behind said annular portidn' spacedfrom the tire rim and including an inner terminalretaining bead projecting generally-radially outwardly and engaging-saidshoulde'zrs to retain the cover on the wheel, the'partof the-cover'engaging the wheel body maintaining generally axially outward' pressure of said of-said head against said grooveshoulder; whereby to" hold the head in cover retaining engagement with said shoulder.

3. In a wheel structure including "a-tiie rim and a wheel body, the-tire rim-"having' an'inter mediate generally axially extending flange formed adjacent the base thereof with means providing a generally axially and-radially 'in-'-' wardly facing shoulder, anda' generally curved terminal flange at theaxiallyouter side-ofthe intermediate flange, a"-cover member having'a convex annular portion'facing axially outwardly and dimensioned' to" fit within and in" closely spaced floating relation'to the extremity of 'the terminal flange ofthe'tire rim; said cover mem ber having an underturned generally radially inwardly and axially inwardly extending resilient extending to said shoulder and of smaller'diameter than said intermediate flange, the inner terminal portion of said cover flange-being turned generally radially outwardly and having a rounded formation retai-ningly engaging said shoulder- *and maintainingsaidcover flange in uniformly spaced relation to said tire rim inter= mediate flange.

4. In a wheel structure, including a. tire rim and a wheel body, the tire rim having an intermediate generally axially extending flange formed adjacent the base thereof with means providing a generally axially and radially inwardly facing shoulder and a generally curved terminal flange, a cover member having a radially, outermost generally U-shaped portion having its apex extending in close floating relation to the extremity of said tire rim terminal flange and opening generally radially and axially inwardly, said U-shaped portion including an axially outer convex annular leg portion extending from said apex and facing axially outwardly and an underturned axially inner resilient annular leg portion extending from said apex radially and axially inwardly in radially inwardly floating relation to said tire rim intermediate flange, the inner terminal portion of said axially inner annular leg portion having a rounded formation for retainingly engaging said shoulder and maintaining said U-shaped portion in floating relation to said the rim.

5. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a wheel body, the tire rim having an intermediate generally axially extending flange formed adjacent the base thereof with means providing a generally axially and radially inwardly facing shoulder, and a generally curved terminal flange at the axially outer side of the intermediate flange, a cover member having a convex annular portion facing axially outwardly and dimensioned to fit within and in closely spaced floating relation to the extremity of the terminal flange of the tire rim, said cover member having an underturned generally radially inwardly and axially inwardly extending resilient flange extending to said shoulder and of smaller diameter than said intermediate flange, the inner terminal portion of said cover flange being turned generally radially outwardly and having a rounded formation retainingly engaging said shoulder and maintaining said cover flange in uniformly spaced relation to said tire rim intermediate flange, said rounded formation comprising a continuous annular bead split at circumferentially spaced points to improve the resilient deflectability thereof.

6. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a wheel body, the tire rim having an intermediate generally axially extending flange formed adjacent the base thereof with means providing a generally axially and radially 1nwardly facing shoulder, and a generally curved terminal flange at the axially outer side of the intermediate flange, a cover member having a convex annular portion facing axially outwardly and dimensioned to fit Within and in closely spaced floating relation to the extremity of the terminal flange of the tire rim, said cover member having an underturned generally radially inwardly and axially inwardly extending resilient flange extending to said shoulder and of smaller diameter than said intermediate flange, the inner terminal portion of said cover flange being turned generally radially outwardly and having a rounded formation retainingly engaging said shoulder and maintaining said cover flangein uniformly spaced relation to said tire rim intermediate flange, said rounded formation comprising a generally radially inwardly turned bead, and a second cover member having a radially outer extremity retainingly engaged within said head.

'7. In awheel structure including a tire rim and a wheel body, the tire rim having an intermediate generally axially extending flange formed adjacent the base thereof with means providing a generally axially and radially inwardly facing shoulder, and a generally curved terminal flange at the axially outer side of the intermediate flange, a cover member having a convex annular portion facing axially outwardly and dimensioned to fit within and in closely spaced floating relation to the extremity of the terminal flange of the tire rim, said cover member having an underturned generally radially inwardly and axially inwardly extending resilient flange extending to said shoulder and of smaller diameter than said intermediate flange, the inner terminal portion of said cover flange being turned generally radially outwardly and having a rounded formation retainingly engaging said shoulder and maintaining said cover flange in uniformly spaced relation to said tire rim intermediate flange, said rounded formation comprising a generally radially inwardly turned bead, and a second cover member having a radially outer extremity retainingly engaged within said bead, said convex annular portion having an inner marginal formation seated against the second cover member.

8. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a wheel body, the tire rim having an intermediate generally axially extending flange formed adjacent the base thereof with means providing a generally axially and radially inwardly facing shoulder, and a generally curved terminal flange at the axially outer side of the intermediate flange, a cover member having a convex annular portion facing axially outwardly and dimensioned to fit within and in closely spaced floating relation to the extremity of the terminal flange of the tire rim, said cover member having an underturned generally radially inwardly and axially inwardly extending resilient flange extending to said shoulder and of smaller diameter than said intermediate flange, the inner terminal portion of said cover flange being turned generally radially outwardly and having a rounded formation retainingly engaging said shoulder and maintaining said cover flange in uniformly spaced relation to said tire rim intermediate flange, said rounded formation comprising a generally radially inwardly turned bead, and a second cover member having a radially outer extremity retainingly engaged. within said bead, said second cover member having an annular generally axially outwardly bulging rib formation engaging said inner marginal formaion.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

